Liam Payne death latest: Harry Styles says he’s ‘truly devastated’ in tribute as authorities prepare autopsy
Liam Payne, solo star and former One Direction member, has died aged 31 after falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires
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One Direction star Liam Payne has died suddenly aged 31, after falling from a hotel balcony in the Palermo neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Local authorities have said they will conduct an autopsy and investigate the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death.
Payne’s family said in a statement issued by his spokeswoman: “We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.
In a joint statement signed “Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry”, Payne’s One Direction bandmates said: “We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing.
“In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say. But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly.”
Payne rose to fame while competing on season five of The X Factor in 2010, when he was placed in the band One Direction along with Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik.
They went on to become one of the world’s most successful boybands, selling 70 million records and performing in stadiums around the world.
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Liam Payne’s final posts show how One Direction star spent his day just hours before his death
Why Liam Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy left Argentina just before his death
Liam Payne tributes: Harry Styles’ mother and Liam Gallagher respond to One Direction star’s shock death
In full: Transcript of hotel’s call to police before Liam Payne death
Person 1: What is your emergency?
Person 2: Hi, good morning. I just called now but the line went off.
I'm calling from the Casa Sur Palermo Hotel, Costa Rica 6032.
Person 1: What happened there, Sir?
Person 2: Well, we have a guest overloaded with drugs and alcohol. And, well, when he is conscious, he is breaking the whole room. And, well, we need you to send us someone please.
Person 1: Under the effects of alcohol and narcotics, right, Sir?
Person 2: Yes, correct. We need you to send us someone urgently because, well, we don't know if the guest's life is at risk. He is in a room that has a balcony. And well, we're a bit afraid that he does something that could put his life at risk.
Person 1: How long has he been there? Or is it a residential hotel?
Person 2: No, no. He's been here for two or three days.
Person 1: I understand. You don't know more information because you can't get in, no?
Person 2: No. Are you sending the police as well, or no?
Person 1: The police for your community area is...give me a second. Community area 14.
Person 2: No, only the SAME (Emergency Medical Care System).
Person 1: Don't worry, they have been notified.
Person 2: Okay, perfect. Thank you very much
Liam Payne’s former school pays tribute to One Direction star
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the sudden passing of our former student, Liam Payne,” the singer’s school, St Peter’s Collegiate Academy in the Comton area of Wolverhampton, tells the BBC.
“During his time at St Peter’s Collegiate Academy, Liam was not only well-liked by his peers and teachers but also recognised for his talents.
“He made a positive impact on our school community, and his contributions will be remembered.”
Liam Payne fans sing his songs at candlelit vigil outside hotel after One Direction star’s death
Liam Payne fans sing his songs outside hotel after One Direction star’s death
Fans cried and sang Liam Payne’s songs outside a hotel in Buenos Aires on Thursday, 17 October after the singer died aged 31. The former One Direction star passed away after falling from a hotel balcony in the Palermo neighbourhood of the Argentinian capital, police said. Authorities say they will conduct an autopsy and investigate the circumstances surrounding his death. Candles were lit and tributes were left for Payne outside Casa Sur Hotel as fans grieved the musician. He is survived by his parents, his two older sisters, and his seven-year-old son, Bear.
Simon Cowell responds to Liam Payne’s sudden death in Buenos Aires
Simon Cowell has responded to the sudden death of One Direction star Liam Payne by cancelling filming for Britain’s Got Talent.
Payne, who shot to international fame when One Direction was formed on X Factor, was found dead after falling from a third-floor balcony at a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The singer had been in the country in part to support his former bandmate Niall Horan who had been performing in Buenos Aires. Payne had attended Horan’s concert earlier this month with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy before deciding to stay in the country for longer.
Simon Cowell, who formed One Direction on X Factor and was their first manager, has responded to the news by halting filming for ITV’s new series of Britain’s Got Talent, which features Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and guest judge KSI on the judging panel.
Simon Cowell responds to Liam Payne’s sudden death in Buenos Aires
Talent contest boss has halted filming for upcoming show due to news of Payne’s death
Liam Payne’s final posts show how One Direction star spent his day just hours before his death
An hour before news of his death broke, Payne shared now-deleted photos from his trip to Buenos Aires with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy.
In a video, Payne can be seen sitting at his hotel’s breakfast table, joking with Cassidy about leaving her hat on the table. “Lovely day in Argentina,” the video was captioned.
“It’s a lovely day here in Argentina,” he said in the video. “This is the breakfast table. Just enjoying coffee and breakfast even though it’s 1pm.”
In another post, Payne posed with Cassidy for a selfie with the caption, “Quality time” and teased a Halloween costume idea with a photo of himself sitting on a chair. It was captioned: “Halloween costume idea: Forest Gump.”
Payne’s final Snapchat story was a photo of himself and Cassidy in swimsuits, one that Cassidy had posted on Instagram in August 2023 to mark his 30th birthday.
Liam Payne’s final posts show how he spent his day just hours before his death
Singer, who rose to fame as member of British pop band One Direction, died after fall from third floor of hotel in Argentina
Prime minister Keir Starmer pays tribute to Liam Payne
“The Prime Minister’s sincere condolences are with Liam’s family and friends at this time,” a spokesperson for Keir Starmer said.
“One Direction were one of the biggest bands in history, and the music has a huge impact on many millions of fans around the world”.
Payne’s secondary school in Wolverhampton shares tribute
Two schools where Payne was a student have paid tribute to the One Direction star.
City of Wolverhampton College shared an old photograph of Payne, wearing school uniform, at a mixing desk in their music department and said the news was “very sad”.
St Peter’s Collegiate Academy Wolverhampton said it was “deeply saddened”.
The statement said he was “well-liked” by staff and students and his “contributions” to the school community are well remembered.
Liam Payne’s legal issues with ex-fiancé Maya Henry explained
Liam Payne’s legal issues with ex-fiancé Maya Henry explained
One Direction singer has died aged 31, after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires
Former One Direction vocal coach says people should focus on Payne’s music legacy
CeCe Sammy-Lightfoot, a vocal coach who previously worked with One Direction, has said she “absolutely loved working with the whole band”.
She told Sky News: “The biggest thing I would like to say to everyone out there is that, you know, at such a young age, Liam and all of One Direction worked so hard, spent hour upon hour, day and night, working round the clock.”
“He has contributed so much into the music world. And the main thing with all of this sadness, I just want to say to everyone to remember what he has done in his contribution to music, because it’s very easy to get sort of distracted by where people might want to go, what happened personally in his life.”
The vocal coach grew emotional as she spoke about the importance of people remembering his musical legacy.
“But I think at this time it’s really important, especially because he has a family out there, to really think about... sorry, I’m getting all emotional, but for them to really remember what he contributed to music generally,” she said.
McFly ‘extremely sad’ to hear news of Payne’s death
McFly, the boyband who rose to fame in the Noughties with hits like “All About You” and “Star Girl”, have said they are “shocked and extremely sad to wake up to the news of Liam Payne’s death”.
Bandmates Tom Fletcher, Danny Jones, Dougie Poynter and Harry Judd said in a statement: “Our thoughts and love are with his family and friends at such a difficult time.”
Find out all of the tributes shared in Payne’s memory, here.
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